The LBS Centre officially published the Kerala SET July 2026 notification on 17 April 2026. Interested candidates can submit applications until 3 June 2026. This guide covers eligibility requirements, the revised exam pattern, qualifying benchmarks, and a step-by-step application walkthrough for HSST and VHSE teaching positions.
Kerala SET Notification 2026
The LBS Centre has officially released the Kerala State Eligibility Test (SET) July 2026 notification. This exam is a mandatory credential for aspiring Higher Secondary School Teachers (HSST) and Non-Vocational Teachers in the VHSE department, as stipulated by the state's teaching appointment regulations. Eligible candidates should visit the official website at www.lbscentre.kerala.gov.in to review the full notification and begin the online application process.
Kerala SET 2026: Key Highlights
Before starting your application, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the key exam highlights. Understanding the test structure and eligibility requirements early will streamline your preparation and registration process.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Kerala SET July 2026 |
| Conducting Body | LBS Centre for Science and Technology |
| Exam Mode | Offline (OMR-based) |
| Number of Papers | 2 (Paper I and Paper II) |
| Total Subjects | 31 subjects |
| Official Website | lbscentre.kerala.gov.in |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year (January and July) |
| Exam Date | 20 September 2026 (Revised) |
| Prospectus | Download PDF |
Kerala SET Important Dates 2026
Stay organized by marking these critical dates for the Kerala SET July 2026 exam cycle on your calendar:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 17 April 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 24 April 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 3 June 2026 (midnight) |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 5 June 2026 (midnight) |
| Application Correction Window | 4 June – 6 June 2026 |
| Admit Card Date | 01 September 2026 |
| Exam Date | 20 September 2026 (Revised) |
Kerala SET Eligibility Criteria 2026
All applicants must fulfill the specific Kerala SET eligibility criteria set by the LBS Centre. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the requirements:
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Basic Qualification | Master’s Degree in relevant subject with minimum 50% marks or equivalent grade + B.Ed from a recognized Kerala university |
| For Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology | MSc.Ed with minimum 50% marks from NCERT-sponsored Regional Institutes of Education |
| For Botany & Zoology | MSc.Ed in Life Science (min 50%) from Regional Institutes of Education also accepted |
| B.Ed Not Required For | Anthropology, Commerce, Gandhian Studies, Geology, Home Science, Journalism, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Statistics |
| For English Subject | Second Class Master’s in Communicative English with min 50% + B.Ed |
| For Arabic, Urdu, Hindi | DLEd/LTTC holders without B.Ed are eligible, subject to relevant Government Orders |
| For Biotechnology | Master’s in Biotechnology with min 50% + B.Ed in Natural Science |
| Hindi B.Ed (Dakshin Bharatha Hindi Prachar Sabha) | Exempted from submitting equivalency certificate |
| Correspondence/Open University | Eligible only if the course is recognized by any Kerala university; must submit recognition and equivalency certificate |
| Final Year PG/B.Ed Students | Eligible to apply; must pass qualifying exam with required marks within one year of SET result |
| SC/ST/Differently Abled | 5% relaxation in minimum marks required for eligibility; second class in PG not mandatory |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit |
Kerala SET Apply Link 2026
The official online application portal for Kerala SET July 2026 is now live at lbsedp.lbscentre.in/setjul26/. Candidates must have a valid, active mobile number to complete the OTP-based registration. Access the direct application link below:
Steps to Apply for Kerala SET 2026
To ensure your application is submitted without errors, follow these documented steps carefully:
- Visit the official website: lbscentre.kerala.gov.in
- Go to “Online Services” and select “SET and Other Exams”
- Click on “SET JULY 2026”
- Register with a valid mobile number and verify via OTP
- Fill in all personal and academic details and submit to get a Registration ID
- Upload your photograph (200×150 pixels, max 30 KB, JPG format)
- Pay the application fee using Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI
- Download and save the printout of the filled application for future reference
Kerala SET Application Fee 2026
The application fee must be submitted via the online payment gateway provided on the official website. Please note that all payments are final and non-refundable. Refer to the table below for the specific fee structure:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹1300 |
| SC / ST / Differently Abled | ₹750 |
Kerala SET Exam Pattern 2026
The Kerala SET consists of two offline OMR-based papers, with each paper offering a duration of two hours for completion.
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I (General) | 120 | 120 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II (Most Subjects) | 120 | 120 (1 mark each) | 2 Hours |
| Paper II (Maths & Statistics) | 80 | 120 (1.5 marks each) | 2 Hours |
Kerala SET Syllabus 2026
The syllabus is aligned with PG-level curricula from universities across Kerala. Paper I covers general aptitude, while Paper II is tailored to your chosen subject. The official syllabus can be accessed via the LBS Centre portal. Here is a summary of the paper structure:
Paper I – General Paper (Common for all candidates)
| Part | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Part A – General Knowledge | Current affairs, history, geography, science, economy, polity, environment |
| Part B – Teaching Aptitude | Teaching methods, classroom management, learning theories, educational psychology, communication skills |
Paper II – Subject-Specific Paper (Select one specialty)
| Subject Code | Subject | Key Syllabus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Anthropology | Social and cultural anthropology, human evolution, tribal studies |
| 02 | Arabic | Arabic language, literature, grammar, Islamic texts |
| 03 | Botany | Plant biology, ecology, genetics, plant physiology |
| 04 | Chemistry | Organic, inorganic, physical chemistry, spectroscopy |
| 05 | Commerce | Accounting, business law, finance, management |
| 06 | Economics | Micro and macro economics, Indian economy, statistics |
| 07 | English | Literature, linguistics, literary criticism, communication |
| 08 | French | French language, literature, grammar |
| 09 | Gandhian Studies | Gandhian philosophy, non-violence, social movements |
| 10 | Geography | Physical, human, economic geography, cartography |
| 11 | Geology | Mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, palaeontology |
| 12 | German | German language, literature, grammar |
| 13 | Hindi | Hindi literature, grammar, linguistics |
| 14 | History | Ancient, medieval, modern Indian and world history |
| 15 | Home Science | Nutrition, child development, family resource management |
| 16 | Islamic History | History of Islam, Islamic civilization, Kerala Muslim history |
| 17 | Journalism | Media studies, print and digital journalism, communication theory |
| 18 | Kannada | Kannada language, literature, grammar |
| 19 | Latin | Latin language, classical literature |
| 20 | Malayalam | Malayalam literature, linguistics, grammar |
| 21 | Mathematics | Algebra, calculus, analysis, geometry, number theory |
| 22 | Music | Indian classical music, musicology, Kerala folk music |
| 23 | Philosophy | Indian and Western philosophy, logic, ethics |
| 24 | Physics | Classical mechanics, quantum physics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism |
| 25 | Political Science | Political theory, Indian constitution, international relations |
| 26 | Psychology | Cognitive, developmental, social psychology, research methods |
| 27 | Russian | Russian language, literature, grammar |
| 28 | Sanskrit | Sanskrit literature, grammar, Vedic studies |
| 29 | Social Work | Social welfare, community development, counselling |
| 30 | Sociology | Social theory, Indian society, research methodology |
| 31 | Statistics | Probability, statistical inference, regression, sampling |
| 32 | Syriac | Syriac language and Christian literature |
| 33 | Tamil | Tamil language, literature, grammar |
| 34 | Urdu | Urdu literature, grammar, linguistics |
| 35 | Zoology | Animal biology, ecology, genetics, cell biology |
| 37 | Biotechnology | Molecular biology, genetic engineering, bioinformatics |
Kerala SET Qualifying Marks 2026
To qualify for the Kerala SET, candidates are required to achieve the minimum percentage in each individual paper and satisfy the overall aggregate criteria as prescribed:
| Category | Paper I | Paper II | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 40% | 40% | 48% |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 35% | 35% | 45% |
| SC / ST / Differently Abled | 35% | 35% | 40% |
Kerala SET July 2026
The LBS Centre for Science and Technology, based in Thiruvananthapuram, administers the Kerala SET examination on behalf of the Government of Kerala.
There is no upper age limit restriction for candidates appearing for the Kerala SET examination.
The final deadline for online application submission is 3 June 2026 (midnight), while the window for fee payment closes on 5 June 2026.
Final-year PG and B.Ed students are eligible to apply; however, they must fulfill all qualification criteria within one year from the date of the Kerala SET results publication.
There is no negative marking scheme for this examination, allowing candidates to confidently attempt all questions.